Hamilton girl's volleyball is trying to stay ahead of the trend. The Emerald Knights have moved from the winter volleyball season to the fall - a decision that coach Dennis Roy thinks will benefit the program long-term.

Most schools in Section III are playing winter volleyball, but Roy said the trend across New York State is to start in the fall.

"It's a little weird starting the season in August," Roy said. "The real transition is having only nine practices before our first match."

Roy, who's coached winter volleyball at Hamilton the past 15 years, is accustomed to having 13 to 15 practices before the season begins.

Despite less practice time Roy is already seeing the benefits from a fall start. The Knights have added multiple basketball players to their roster, a sport that otherwise conflicts with volleyball in the winter.

"Volleyball and basketball draw the same type of athlete," Roy said. "I'm hopeful that athlete wise, we'll get more girls drawn from basketball that will play both."

Sophomore basketball players Hayley Smith and Olivia Dow are two that made the move and have worked into the starting lineup immediately.

But with the long-term benefits Hamilton is seeking, it will have to overcome some short-term adversity. The Knights will face tougher competition and don't have one familiar opponent on their schedule - which can prove challenging for Roy who's coached in the same league for the past 15 years.

"It's going to be unusual," Roy said. "And more difficult. Playing all the same coaches (every season) you know what to expect, what teams are good and what teams are average. We know nothing about all of these teams."

Roy said he hopes to finish the season above .400 and qualify for the postseason. The Knights are off to a good start, winning their season opener 3-0 over Institute of Technology Syracuse Central on Thursday night.